Despite its appearance, Dinton is not a
medieval ruined castle, but is in fact an 18th Century folly. It
was built by Sir John van Hatten in 1743 to house his fossil collection.
Today it is said to be haunted by Simon Mayne, the ‘Dinton Hermit’ who was
once secretary to Oliver Cromwell. Mayne fell foul of King Charles II at
the Restoration and was stripped of his wealth. He died a broken man. Now
it seems, his ghost seeks shelter within the folly’s crumbling walls.